Settling down in Italy was not something either of the slayer's had planned for. Their time spent there was only meant to be short-lived after engaging in a spontaneous trip to the "Bel Paese", also known as the beautiful country where they had spent most of their summer chasing up a group of women thought to be slayers. After some time tracking down the group of young females who were protecting selected areas scattered around the city such as Naples and Rome protecting citizens from the many forces of evil.
Before their journey began in Europe, both slayers had been looking after their own personal hell in Cleveland for the last two years. Protecting the town sat on a Hellmouth from the evil and supernatural alike. After leaving Sunnydale in the state it was and having many of their lives changed in the aftermath of the events that unfolded all them years ago, the Scooby gang as it was made a selfless decision to separate ways traveling to different parts of the world finding slayers from all around who could help make the world a better place. During their time in Italy both slayers began to love the culture and atmosphere that surrounded them, eventually making the decision to stay however, all good things eventually come to an end.
None of them had seen it coming and life in the new city had been challenging at many times with both slayers often not seeing eye to eye, and Buffy found it difficult to cope with how much had changed in such a short space of time since Sunnydale was destroyed. Faith, on the other hand, had embraced the changes, getting acquainted with the new slayers while also taking charge of training, and during her spare time unknown to the blonde slayer, the brunette was busy constructing a business idea she hoped would engross Buffy and help them both towards a better future. Currently, their lifestyle was comfortable and they were both settled down in a small two-bedroom apartment with Buffy working as an events organiser at the famous JW Marriott Venice Resort & Spa, while Faith was enjoying one of her few experiences of luxury in life working as a bar hostess at the Skyline Rooftop Bar. The two barely spent much time together with most of their downtime taken up with regular meet-ups with slayers.
One this particular night both slayers decided to dine out and enjoy exquisite Italian food in one of the many restaurants sat between San Marco and San Polo. Faith took a deep breath as she adjusted her sleek leather jacket studying herself in the long length mirror on the wall of her and the blonde's apartment. She then slipped a white folded piece of paper into the breast pocket, her eyes focused on the reflection that stood behind her shoulder. Her dark lips opening up into a small grin enjoying the view of the blonde slayer bend over behind her sliding on a pair of nude kitten heels. Buffy was wearing a silk baby blue dress exposing her flawless porcelain skin from the back as the material dropped slightly around the slayers shoulder blades. Faith swallowed hard as her gaze traveled down the back of the blonde's legs eventually snapping out of her daze as she noticed Buffy was struggling to fasten one of the straps that wrapped around her ankle. Faith turned, raising an eyebrow at the other slayer before she spoke.
"Need a hand?" she asked. Buffy turned with a slight scowl across her face becoming more impatient by the second. Faith walked towards her bending down to the strap, giving a nod up to the blonde. "I'm taking that as a yes" Faith continued before fastening up both straps on the ridiculous heels that had been chosen. Her eyes studying the slayers soft skin as her fingers gently pulled away. She inhaled the sweet warm scent of coconut that seemed to be coming of Buffy in waves. The brunette pressed her lips tight together as the urge to slide her hand up the blonde's dress became more distracting by the second. Her eyes wandered further up Buffy's legs before they reached the upper thighs. God, please tell me she isn't wearing underwear...Fuck...Focus! She finally pulled herself out of it making her way back to the blonde's eye level.
"You do realise we're only grabbing a quick bite right ?".
Buffy shrugged. "I wanted to make the effort" she replied coyly. "Besides you mentioned there was a reason for this meal..." As she spoke Buffy applied a nude lipstick in the nearby mirror Faith was standing moments before. "...You had some big news you wanted to share?" Buffy continued.
Faith looked into the mirror at the beautiful slayer's reflection with a slight nod. "Wouldn't call it news...but something I wanted to run by you...Faith flashed Buffy a smile as she trailed off.
"Not planning on leaving are you? I'll admit I've like having you around..." Buffy's green eyes met with dark brown as she spoke. Her cheeks went a light pink as the words left her mouth. "You have kept me steady Faith...I was so unsure of where my life was going but you have kept me grounded". Buffy smiled back at the brunette stood behind her attempting to hide her crimson cheeks as she spoke. " I guess what I'm trying to say is... thank you". Faith felt slightly moved, she didn't show it, but she simply nodded and made her way towards the front door hinting it was their cue to leave.
At the restaurant, both the slayers opted for a private booth away from members of the public. Faith had chosen a small quaint restaurant, nothing too special but offering plenty of Italian charm throughout the establishment from the art displayed on the walls to the endless choices of classic cuisine options displayed on the menus. The tables and booths alike boasted a rich coffee colour and smoldering black seating. Faith nodded to a waiter approaching them shortly after they settled down before looking to the blonde across from her who was hiding behind a menu. Faith smirked at the other slayers actions. God, she thought it was cute. Faith scoffed and shook off her inappropriate thoughts taking over her.
"Um...B...Drink?" she asked. Buffy nodded from behind the menu, muttering to herself before looking up at waiter standing between them. She smiled up at the waiter handing him the drinks menu she had been studying. "Bottiglia di bottega per favore" she asked politely. The waiter nodded replying back to her. "Certo signora" before making his bar to the bar retrieving two champagne flutes and the bottle of prosecco requested.
Faith's eyed the other slayer up and down. "Quando hai imparato a parlare italain?" she asked curiously a slight grin on her face testing how fluent Buffy was.
"Sto ancora imparando" Buffy replied blushing slightly. "I have picked it up here and there over the last couple of years" As she spoke the bottle of prosecco and two flutes were placed on the table. "Grazie Signore" Buffy thanked the waiter before turning her attention back to the brunette. "And speak for yourself...I didn't think you knew how to speak English... never mind Italian." Buffy teased.
Faith narrowed her eyes as she poured the prosecco for them both. "Bite me Summers!"
Buffy sipped on the glass Faith passed onto her with a coy smile. "Nah! I'm gonna pass on that offer!"
Faith tilted her head at the comment taking a long sip of her prosecco. "Who knows? You might like it..." The dark slayer's raised an eyebrow, her eyes becoming darker as she spoke. Buffy suddenly dribbled prosecco down her chin from laughing unexpectedly which made the brunette grin from ear to ear like a Cheshire cat. Her eyes became lost in the blonde's, feeling her skin twitch from the goosebumps caressing all over her, suddenly becoming lost in the moment staring longly at the woman she had secretly admired for years. Intrusive thoughts beginning to flood her brain...the blonde's mouth drenched in warm lubricant...her green eyes piercing into Faith's as she looked up from between the brunette's legs...A soft moan escaping her lips as the slayer's tongue caressed her skin...
The brunette came back into the room as Buffy brought her back to reality. "Faith? You okay?"
Faith chuckled slightly before biting down on the inside of her mouth giving the concerned slayer a nod. "Sorry, B...bubbles don't agree with me". The blonde slayers eyebrows raised shaking her head, a soft half-smile creeping over her face. Faith swallowed hard as she finally brought herself to make eye contact again. "Anywho...I...um. I wanted to talk to you about something. Sort of a business idea I had." Buffy settled down her glass after taking a long sip before sitting back, her eyes looking longly towards Faith as she listened. "We are missing out on something huge here B. There are slayers flocking toward us every day and it's time we put them to use". Buffy's leaned forward, her lips parting before looking down at the rest of the prosecco before enjoying a long sip taking Faith's words in. Faith pulled the piece of paper from her breast pocket laying it on the table between them both. "It's not much...but a draft of what you might consider a business plan. We could finally get the break we wanted B!"
Buffy's lips twitched looking down at the piece of paper and then back towards the other slayer. "Faith. Where are you going with this? Cause if you're suggesting what I think you are..."
Faith put her hand up to the slayers mouth. "Just hear me out!" She laughed nervously before continuing as she explained the business idea to Buffy. "We have at least what? Thirty? If not more slayers who...let's be honest B...they are gonna start to become a burden to us sooner or later. We need them earning a living while they are here. What a better way than hiring their services to others. They could use their abilities to protect those who are willing to pay..."
Faith was soon cut off. "Faith...are you out of your mind? No! That is ludicrous!"
The dark slayer's face dropped at the reaction but she continued while holding the business plan in front of her. "We could be earning thousands in the next year. Do you know how many business women and men hire security? We could even go as far as offering these services to politicians and celebrities alike!"
Buffy snatched the piece of paper from the brunette's grasp raising her voice slightly as she spoke. "Are you actually listening to yourself right now? Charging people to protect them? And what big bads are after people during the day huh? How do we not know the people who hire our girls wouldn't turn on them?"
Faith shook her head before responding. "I know the risks B and as far as needing our services during the day there are plenty of supernatural forces out to get us. Speaking of...did I tell you I met a succubus for the first time just last week?"
Buffy narrowed her eyes at the brunette before she spoke. "This is not what we do Faith. We help people because we want to. It's not about making a profit...
Faith cut in "Why not? We are not hurting anyone. The girls will benefit in the long run and we could finally have a life B!"
Buffy swallowed hard looking into the dark pools of chocolate brown that seemed to be looking deep into her soul from across the table. "We have a life Faith. When will it ever be good enough for you huh?" Faith could feel herself sinking slowly into the material below her as the body language from the blonde became slightly more agitated. "As far as your business idea goes you can forget it Faith! I won't be any part of it! These girls are not to be used for any gain Faith! How could you be so selfish?" Faith's eyes darkened as the intrusive thoughts came back to her. Grabbing Buffy by the throat slamming her into the table...the dark slayer straddled over her...her grip becoming tighter... "Well?" Buffy continued. I want answers Faith!
Faith snapped out the visuals that started to become more comforting than the current situation. She looked at the blonde fighting the tears she could feel trying to set themselves free. "You want answers huh? That's all I ever wanted from you B! You just shut me out even now...after everything we have been through. You still don't trust me do you?" Faith reached over the table to the blonde slayer's arm causing her to back away from the touch. Faith took a deep breath snatching back the business plan from Buffy ripping it to shreds in front of her.
"Not when you pull stuff like this on me!" Buffy replied watching the pieces of paper scatter across the table. "We have a good life here Faith. Let's not do anything to jeopardise that! Starting with your crazy ass ideas!" Buffy gave the other slayer a small smile but Faith had heard enough as the blonde's word's cut her deep. Her mind raced as flashes of her past haunted her. Being told she was a failure by her drunk mother...being abused by numerous men who used her for sex and slut-shamed her...the demon who killed her watcher...and the blonde who called her a loser!
Faith suddenly snapped and punched the slayer from across the table causing an uproar in the restaurant as the waiter rushed over only to get thrown across the tables behind and into a number of terrified customers. Buffy winced as she touched her cheek and licked off the blood from her bottom lip the brunette's ring had caught in the process. Faith straightened her leather jacket, eyes piercing into Buffy. The blonde turned away as tears ran down her cheeks causing a wave of guilt to come over Faith. She slowly reached her hand out to the injured slayer in an attempt to caress her cheek but she was pushed away with force. "Get away from me!" Behind her shoulder, she heard commotion still occurring and the waiter shouting at her to leave the establishment. She tried to explain herself but she couldn't find the words.
As she turned to walk out the door the blonde spoke, the words crushing her. " Don't even think about coming home tonight...Stay away from me Faith! The brunette wiped the single tear that ran down her olive skin before making her way out into the night walking the busy street's before she noticed what appeared to be a short cut and an escape from the overwhelming noise surrounding her.
She cut down a dark alleyway, stopping halfway to light a cigarette. Leaning against the cold brick she finally allowed herself to cry but the moment was soon interrupted as the brunette's slayer sense tingled. She slowly emerged from the alleyway before hearing a sickening thud after taking a few steps into what seemed like a dead end.
She turned to be confronted with a woman's lifeless body that had seemed to have fallen from the rooftops. Faith swallowed hard as she backed away only to look up and see a large group of vampires before her. She reached into her leather jacket breast pocket for a stake and stood her ground. Her eyes darting around, looking for an escape, another weapon of some kind. She grinned at each member of the gang surrounding her. "Evening boys...Now there is plenty of me to go around. You'll all get your turn!" As she spoke she kicked the vamp closest to her, at the same time ramming the stake into another behind who was seconds from jumping her.
Spotting a dumpster hiding in the shadows she grabbed another of the vamps slamming his neck in just the right spot before pulling down the large lid watching the bloodsucker turn to dust. She then proceeded to jump on top of the dumpster looking down at the three that remained. "You men never last long do ya?" What seemed to be the main leader of the group snarled at the brunette baring his fangs. "Ti augurerai di aver ucciso la tua uccisione" he uttered before tilting his head at the other remaining vampires to retreat making their way into the darkness. "Aw come on..I was just getting started".
The brunette jumped down from the dumpster making her way toward the lifeless woman's body. Her body looked bruised and battered but there was no sign of teeth marks on her. Faith reached out to touch her but her body suddenly froze as the sound of a cocked gun was placed at the back of her head. The vampire's last word's spoken came back to her to which she was unsure of the translation but was sure he had said "You wish we had killed you" the brunette muttered under her breath.
Faith put her hands above her head slowly feeling the gun pressing harder into her flesh before hearing a harsh male whisper in her ear "Gotcha now slayer...you passed the test"
Before she could reply a sharp pinch was felt in the back of her neck causing her vision to blur as she tried to reply "Test...what...te..." Eventually, the slayer's body hit the ground as she blacked out.